THE rise and rise of Burton-on-the-Wolds athlete Ben Dijkstra continued last week as he was crowned English Schools’ Athletic Association Cross Country champion for the third successive time

In the Intermediate Boys race, the 17-year-old Loughborough Grammar School student stormed to a comfortable win in 17mins 43secs, 13 seconds ahead of the rest of the field.

There were also strong showings from Charnwood Athletic Club’s Isaac Akers who was eighth in 18:11 and Joseph Pollard 24th in 18:52.

Ben was running for Beacon Hill Striders, and his coach there Alan Maddocks, said: “Ben controlled his race throughout to take his third consecutive English Schools XC title... a feat achieved by only one other male athlete in the history of these Championships (Mike Tagg 1963-65).

“Not only did Ben take the individual crown but he led the county team to the team title with Alfie Thompson (running his best race of the season for 27th in 18:56) and Pascal Boutier-Butler (overcoming a second lap stumble for 19:42) instrumental in that victory.”

Leicestershire and Rutland were convincing winners with all of their six counters inside the top 100 with the lowest 67th.

It meant they amassed just 163 points to second placed Kent’s 219 points while third placed Hampshire had 338 points.

Ben went into the event on the back of winning the East Midlands qualifier for the Virgin Mini Marathon to be held on Sunday, April 26 before the main marathon and including its famous finish down The Mall.

Before that though, with the cross-country season now over, Ben has his first triathlon of the season this Sunday (March 22) which takes place in Quarteira, Portugal.